Guerrilla also killed besides youth in Kashmir gunfight: Police

Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Tuesday that the youth killed in Pulwama on Monday had died in exchange of gunfire between guerrillas and security forces in which a hardcore guerrilla had also been killed.

Giving details about Monday's incident in Bamla forest area of Tral town in Pulwama district, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, S.J.M. Gillani told media here: "Yesterday a routine patrol of the army had gone into Kamla forests, Tral wherein it came under fire from the terrorists who were hiding there.

"Thereafter, dead body of Khalid Muzafar Wani was recovered from the spot. Two AK-47 rifles were also recovered. One of the rifles recovered was the one which had been snatched from a policeman last year on August 12."

He said that investigations have revealed that Wani along with three of his associates had gone to Kamla forests to meet his brother Burhan, an active terrorist of Tral and his associates. While they were meeting, they saw the approaching army patrol which led to exchange of fire.

"Today (on Tuesday) during search of the area, one more dead body was recovered. The deceased has been identified as Younis Ahmad Ganaie, an active terrorist of Tral," said Gillani, adding Ganaie was involved in an attack on Rafiq Dada in Tral on April 6.

He said there were instances of stone-pelting in Tral and surrounding areas on Tuesday, but the police and paramilitary forces exercised restraint.

"Some people have received minor injuries during the stone pelting," he said.

Earlier reports had said at least 24 people were injured in the clash between protesters and the security forces.